Folding stair-chair.



No. 812,013. PATENTED FEB, 6, 1906. E. G. BROWER & J. D. H. SOHULZ.

FOLDING STAIR CHAIR. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 26, 19115 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 812,013. PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906. E. G. BROWER &: J. D. H. SGHULZ. FOLDING STAIR CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 26. 1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

ERNEST C. BROWER AND JOHN D. H. SCHULZ, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

FOLDING STAlFi-CHAIR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1906.

is a specification.

This invention relates to folding stairchairs; and the object thereofis to provide a chair in a manner, as hereinafter set forth,

which is particularly adapted for use upon the steps of outdoor stairs or upon the steps of interior stairways when occasion so requires, thereby dispensing with the use of rugs, carpets, mats, cushions, or other objects generally utilized for such purpose when lounging or sitting upon the steps of a stairway.

The invention further aims to provide a chair of the class referred to which when used upon a step will afiord comfort and ease to the user and at the same time permit the user to move the chair to various angles, if occas1on so requires.

The invention further aims to provide a folding stair-chair which shall be simple in its construction, strong, durable, efficient in its use, readily knocked down and set up, foldable to a small compass, easily transported when folded, movable to various angles when set up, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and wherein is shown the referred embodiment of the invention; but 1t is to be understood that changes, variations, and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a vertical section. Fig. 3 is a rear view. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the chair folded. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a modified form. Fig. 6 is a vertical section thereof. Fig. 7 is a side view showing the chair illustrated in Fi 5 folded, and Fig. 8 is a rear view of the mo ified form.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, 1 denotes the chair-seat frame or seat, which has the forward portion thereof of sion so requires.

greater width than its rear portion, and 2 3 indicate a pair of vertically-extending members adjustable to various inclinations ar ranged at each side of the rear portion of the frame 1 and of such width that the combined width of said members 2 3 and the rear portion of the frame 1 is substantially the same as the width of the front portion of the frame 1. The members 2 3 have their lower portions projecting forward in a curvilinear manner and are pivoted at a point in proximity to their extreme lower ends to the rear of the frame 1, as at 5. By such an arrangement the lower portions of the members 2 3 depend a small distance below the frame 1, thereby forming a pair of short rear sup orting-legs 6, which in connection with the out supporting-leg, to be hereinafter referred to, are adapted to support and retain the seatframe 1 slightly above the step which said seat is arranged over. user from sitting in close proximity to the step and also enables the movingof the chair upon the legs to various angles when occasion so requires. The members 2 3 also constitute means for supporting the back-frame 7 of the chair, said frame 7 being secured between said members, as shown, and may be of any suitable construction. A brace and staying means for the lower ends of the members 2 3 below the seat-frame'l is provided and which consists of the cross-rod 8, fixedly secured in position.

The reference character 9 denotes the front supporting-leg, having the lower portion thereof of less width than the upper portion, or, in other words, said leg 9 is substantially T-shaped, so as to provide at the top an enlarged support for the forward portion of the seat-frame 1. The front leg 9 is arranged centrally of the seat-frame 1 at the front thereof, is of much greater-length than the rear legs 3, and is connected to the seat-frame 1 by a hinge 10, which is of a length equal to that of the top of said leg, thereby obtaining a strong hinged connection between the leg and the frame 1. One leaf of the hinge 10 is secured to the lower face of the seat-frame 1, andlthe other leaf is secured to the back of the leg 9, at the top thereof, and by such an arrangement the leg 9 can be folded back against the lower face of the seat when occa- The leg 9 is adapted to rest upon the top of a step below that step over which the seat is arranged. The length of the leg 9 in relation to the legs 3 is such that This prevents the when the chair is extended and used upon the stairs the seat-frame or seat 1 will be supported at a point above the step it is arranged over, which is found very desirable.

The chair is provided with means for retaining the members 2 in various inclined positions, and said means consists of a pair of rearwardly-extending members 11 12, which are pivoted at their forward ends, as at 13, to the enlarged forward portion of the seatframe 1, and the said members 11 12 are of such length as to project rearwardly of the members 2 3. By pivoting the forward ends of the members 11 12 to the enlarged portion of the frame 1 the said members 11 12 can readily pass the members 2 3. The rear ends of the members 11 12 are connected together by a rod 14, arranged at the rear of the members 2 3 and which is adapted to find a seat in any two alining notches of two series of notches, (indicated by the reference character 15,) said notches being formed in the rear face of the members 2 3.

When the chair is folded, the members 2 and 3 of the back-frame are moved over the upper face of the seat-frame or seat, the leg 9 is moved against the lower face of the seatframe or seat, and the members 11 12 assume a position at the side of the members 2 3, and the rods 8 and 14 then constitute a handle for the chair, which when grasped for the purose of shifting the chair in a folded condition from one point to another Will prevent the extending of the chair.

The modification shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 of the drawings comprises a seat-frame 16, of the same width throughout and to which is connected the front supporting-leg 17 in the same manner and of the same construction as the front supporting-leg 9, hereinbefore referred to. The vertically-extending members are indicated by the reference characters 18 19. These are of the same construction as the members 2 3, but are not adjustable to various inclinations. The short rear supporting-legs, formed by the members 18 19, are

indicated by the reference characters 20 21.

The members 18 19 are pivoted at a point removed from the rear of the seat-frame 16, as at 22. Depending rearwardly from the members 18 19, as well as being pivoted to the said members 18 19, is a pair of curvilinear members 23 24, which are of such length as to extend below the seat-frame '16 and which constitute a second pair of short rear supportinglegs. The members 23 24 are also pivotally connected to the seat-frame through the medium of the links 26, and fixed to the said members 23 24 is a cross-rod 27, which constitutes a brace for the said members 23 24 and also acts as a sto for retaining the members 18 19 and the bac -frarne 28 in an upright position. The rod 27 is adapted to engage a pair of rearwardly-extending lugs 29 on the seat-frame, these lugs constituting an abutment for arresting the movement of the rod, so that the back of the chair will be retained in an upright position. hen the chair is folded, the back is moved over the upper face of the seatframe and the leg 17 moves against the underneath face of the seatframe. Otherwise than that Eas stated the construction and manner of using the modified form of chair are the same as that of the chair shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A folding stair-chair comprising a seat, a pair of short rear supporting-legs pivoted to the sides of said seat, and a front supportingleg hinged to the lower face of said seat approximately centrally at the front thereof and of greater length than the rear legs.

2. A folding stair-chair comprising a seat, a pair of short rear supporting-legs pivoted to the sides of said seat, a front supporting-leg hinged to the lower face of said seat approximately centrally at the front thereof and of greater length than the rear legs, and means to prevent the collapsing of the rear legs Whenthe chair is extended.

3. A folding stair-chair comprising a seat, a pair of vertically-extending members pivoted at a point in proximity to the lower ends thereof to said seat and having that portion depending below said seat constituting a pair of short rear supporting-legs, a back-frame secured to said members, a front supportingleg hinged to the lower face of said seat approximately centrally at the front thereof and of greater length than the rear legs, and means for retaining said members and backframe in an upright position when the chair is extended.

4. A folding stair-chair comprising a seat adapted to be arranged over the top surface of a step, a pair of short rear supporting-legs pivoted to the said seat and adapted to rest upon the surface over which the chair-seat is arranged, and a front supporting-leg hinged to the lower face of said seat approximately centrally at the front thereof and of greater length than the rear legs and adapted to rest upon a surface below the plane of the surface over which the chair-seat is arranged.

5. A folding stair-chair comprising a seat adapted to be arranged over the top surface of a step, a pair of short rear supporting-legs pivoted to the said seat and adapted to rest upon the surface over which the chair-seat is arranged, and a front supporting-leg hinged to the lower face of said seat approximately centrally at the front thereof and of greater length than the rear legs and adapted to rest upon a surface below the plane of the surface over which the chair-seat is arranged, said front and rear legs of such length as to suspend the chair-seat at a point above the surface over which said seat is arranged.

6. A folding stair-chair comprising a seat adapted to be arranged over the top surface of a step, a pair of short rear supporting-legs pivoted to the said seat and adapted to rest upon the surface over which the chair-seat is arranged, a front supporting-leg hinged to the lower face of said seat approximately centrally at the front thereof and of greater length than the rear legs and adapted to rest upon the surface below the plane of the surface over which the chair-seat is arranged, and means to prevent the colla sing of said rear legs when the chair is eXten ed.

7. A folding stair-chair comprising a seat, a pair of short rear supporting-legs pivoted thereto, a transversely-extending front supporting-leg arranged centrally of the said seat at the front thereof and having an enlarged top upon which said seat rests when the chair is extended, and a hinge for connecting the front leg to the seat, said hinge of a length equal to the length of the enlarged top of the leg.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ERNEST C. BROWER. JOHN D. H. SCHULZ. Witnesses: I

JosEPH F. GRADY, F. M. DENNEY. 

